Flow device



April 18, 1944. R. E. MILLICAN FLOW DEVICE I Filed Feb. 16, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 2 4r 1 Wm;

a A 1 ,aw

Patented Apr. 18, 1944 FLOW DEVICE Roy E. Millican, Dallas, Texi, assignor of fifty-l four and one-half per cent to Carlton Meredith,

Dallas, Tex.

Application February 16, 1942', Serial No, 431,067

, 18 Claims. 4 (curios-232) This invention relates to new and provements in flow device's.

One object of theinvention is to provide an improved flow device for-controlling the admi's sion of an auxiliary lifting fluid, such as gas or air, into a well liquid column to lift the same useful imto the surface, said device being an improve ment over the flow device shown inmy patent; No. 2,241,643.

An important object of the invention is to pro vide an improved flow device wherein the admittance of a lighting fluid into a liquid column is controlled" by a spring-pressed element which-is exposed to the pressure of the lifting fluid so that the pressure at which the fluid is admitted may be accurately controlled byva'ryin'g the tension of the spring and the operation of the element is not dependent upon a differential in pressures between the lifting fluid and the well liquids; the device having an auxiliary control in the form of a pressure-responsive member associated'th'erewith, whereby no lifting fluid can enter the tubing in the event there'is no-well liquid present Within said tubing adjacent said device, with the result that the lifting'fluid pressure -'-is conserved and maintaineduntilheeded A particular objectofthe invention is to p e-- vide an improved flow device; of the-'- character described, wherein a pressure responsive-member is employed in place of the float actuatedvalve of my patent as an auxiliary fluid-admission control, the member having onecnd exposed "to the pressure of the fluid andits'other end exposed to the combined pressures of the well liquids and a resilient element, whereby said member'is actu ated by the differential inpressures'thereacross to permit the admission of saidfluid to "the tubing scribed wherein the" auxiliary control so can:

structed that the combined-pressures of the well liquids and the resilientelemenm'whieh are great er than the pressure of'the lifting fluid-,- will hold the pressure-responsive member in' its iiuidad-' mitting position when eiposdto' all thr 'e'e pres} sures, and in a non-admittingposition'when the pressure of the well liquids is reinoveuerraus be low a predetermined pointf A further object of the raven on an improved fl'ow'dev'ice; of"t scribed, which s so constructed that tne w l q uids are lifted by a suction action created ibythef particular manner of admitting the lifting-fluid to the well tubing, the suction action being set up by an improved unitary delivery tube instead of the relatively complicated assembly of my prior patent, whereby an eilicient as well as economical construction'and operation is had.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device, of the character described, wherein the various members which control the passage of the lifting fluid through the device include valve portions, which are movable relative thereto for closing the fluid passages of said device, whereby said passages are efficiently sealed when the-control members are actuated to shut off the-flow of fluid and also whereby wear of the valve surfaces and adjacent portions of thedevice is compensated for.

The construction designed to'carr'y out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the'following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, asan example of the invention is shownand wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a tubing string havinga plurality of flow devices, constructed in accordance with the invention, mounted therein,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the flow device,

Figure 3 is aplan view thereof, g 1

Figure 4 is atransvers'e, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and showing the control plunger in its lowered position with the check'valve open,

Figure 5 is a similar view with the plunger raised and the check valve closed,

Figure 6 is a similar viewshowing the plunger and valveiin an intermediateposition, Figure 7 is also a similar view withthe valve closed and the plunger in an intermediate position, I r

Figure 8 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the auxiliary control plunger, taken on the lin 8+8 of Figure 3,

Figure 9 is a transverseavertical, sectional view takens'on the l i'ne 9'-9 of Figure 3, and showing the delivery tube'assembly;

Figure 10 is a horizontal, cross-sectional. view,

I taken on the line Ill-l Bof Figure'2,

Figure 11 is'a horizontal, cross-sectional view,

taken on the line l3l3 of FigureQ, showing thecontrol plunger and auxiliary control plungers in their closed positions,

Figure 14 is a view, similar to Figure 13, with the plungers in their open or fluid admitting positions,

Figure 15 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the flow device showing the relationship of the elements,

Figure 16 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view of the'control'plunger,

Figure 17 is a view, similar to Figure 16, of

the auxiliary control plunger, and.

as is clearly shown in Figures 6 and '7.

Figure 18 is a similar view of the delivery tube; I

This application is filed as an improvement on my Patent No. 2,241,643, which issued May 13, 1941.

In the drawings, the numeral I designates an ordinary well casing which extends vertically through the well bore.

endof the casing at the surface and is'provided with the usual radially-extending conductor I2, whereby communication with the, interior of the casingmay be established, The welltubing I3 extends axially through the well casing -to the lower end of the well bore and has the usual well screen or perforated section of pipe I4 at its lower-end. Immediately above the well screen a well packer|5 is adapted to be-set,;wh ereby the annular space between the well tubing and the well casing may be sealed off. Itis pointed out that the packer is shown schematically and may be of any desired construction since it forms no part of the present invention.

. In carrying out the invention, a plurality of flow devices A are connected-in the tubing string at various elevations therein. A lifting fluid, such as gas or air under pressure, is introduced through the pipe IZ into the casing I0 andfills the annular space between ;the tubing and the casing abovethepacken I5. The flow devices A, as will be hereinafter explained, control. the admittance of this lifting gas into the interior .or boreof thewell tubing I3, whereby the well-liq uids within said tubingmay fbelifted tothefsurface. The flow devices A are coupled inlthe tubing string by means of the usual coupling; collars|6.. I 7

Each flow device A includes'fan elongate,- cy

lindrical body I1 which has .its uppe r and lower endsexternally screw-threaded so as to receive the coupling collars I6. An elongate housing or casing I8, which is substantially semi-circular or arcuate in cross-section, is preferably formed integral with the body "I"! and extends longitudinally thereof as shown'in" Figures'2 and 3. The .body is provided with vertical cylinders or bores I9, 2i) and 2| whicli extend entirlytherethrough and'which are-spacedlaterally from each other (Fig.

As is clearly shown in Figure 4, a tubular plunger-ZZis slidablymounted within the-bore of the cylinder I9 and has its axial bore'23 terminating short of the lower end thereof. '-The" extreme upper portion of the bore 23 is en1arged to provide an annularshoulder-M -(Fig. 16).;Wil7hin the plunger 22 for receivingthe lower. end vof,:a coiledor helical springv 25., confined between the upper end of said plunger, and a ,cap member 26 which closes the upper end of the cylinder I9. Obviously, the coiled spring. 25 constantly exerts A casing head II of any suitable construction is mounted on the upper Immediately above the radial port 29, the intermediate portion of the cylinder is enlarged as shown at 30 and communicates with the bore of the body I'l through a radial slot or opening 3| (Fig. 7)." The'upper portion of the cylinder I9 is also enlarged as shown at 32 and also comits pressure tourge the-plunger toits lowermost municates with the bore of the body I1 through aradial opening 33.

' Intermediate the shoulder 24 and groove 21, the plunger 22 is slotted as shown at 34 so as to co-act with a valve disk or member 35 which includes a split seating-disk 36secured to a radially-extending arm or bar 31, one end of the arm extending through the slot 3| as shown in Figures 10 and ll. A collar 38 is formed on the arm and is arranged to receive a pivot pin or bolt 39 which extends transversely across the slot 3| and is screwthreaded into the housing I8. The outer or free end of the arm 3'|.is provided with a lug or ear 40 which is disposed within the slot 34 0f the plunger 22. Obviously, the valve member 35 is pivotally mounted within the bore of the body I1 and when the plunger is in its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 4, the member is swung upwardly into a recess 4| which is provided for receiving said member. In this position, the valve member is-completely out of the bore and does not restrict flow throughthe body. When the plunger 22 is moved to itsraisedposition as shown in Figure 5, the lower end of the slot 34 actin against the lug 40 swings the valve member downwardly across the bore of the body II. An annular bevelled seat 42 is formedv within the bore of the body immediately above the port 29 and is adapted to be engaged by the seating disk 36 of the valve member, in which position the bore of the body I! isclosed.

Asis clearly shown in Figure 16, the extreme lower end of the plunger 22is reduced in diameter to provide a depending shank 43 upon which is mounted a plurality of split, metallic sealing rings 44. An annular retainin plate 45, which is of substantially the same diameter as the plunger 22,; ,is clamped against the lower end of said 41, whereby the rings 44 are confinednpon the shank 43. The bolt 46 is elongate and projects a considerable distance beyond the nut 41 so as to receive an annular piston or sleeve 48. For retainin the piston 48 upon the bolt 46, the lower end of said bolt isreduced and screw-threaded so as to receive a suitable'washer 49 and nut.'50 The piston -48, which has anextemal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the plunger, is provided with an axial bore 5| of a greater diameter than the bolt 46,;whereby said piston has aloose fit upon said boltand may move transversely relative thereto.- For permitting this transverse movementof the piston, the upper end of said pistonis preferably spaced from the plate 45. Of course, :the upper end of the bore 5| is enlarged as shown at52 so as to accommodate t nutfil, I a I When the plunger is in its lowermost position, the lower end of the piston 48 secured to said plunger is exposed to the pressure within the bore of the well casing II]. This pressure is that of the lifting fluid which has been introduced into the casing through the pipe [2 and when said pressure is sufficient to raise the plunger against the force of the coiled spring 25, said plunger moves upwardly to the position shown in Figure 5. In this position, the lower end of the piston .48 moves above a, lateral gas inlet port 53. As is clearly shown in Figures 13 and 14, this port extends from the exterior of the housing l8, diametrically' across the cylinder l9 and terminates in a transverse port 54 which communicates with the cylinder 20. Therefore, when the plunger is lifted to its uppermost position, communication between the port 54 and the bore of the well casing is established to permit a flow of thelifting fluid through the ports 53 and 54 into the bore of the cylinder 29. A lateral port 55 leads from the cylinder 20 to the bore of the cylinder 2 I, whereby the lifting fluid may flow to said cylinder 2 I.

For controlling the flow of the lifting fluid through the bore of the cylinder 29, an annular piston valve 56 is slidably mounted within said cylinder (Figures 8 and 17). An external annular groove 51 is formed in the piston valve and when said valve is in its lowered position, the groove is alined with the ports 54 and 55 as shown in Figures 14 and 15. In this position of the Valve 55, the lifting fluid flowing through the port 54 may enter and pass around the annular groove 51 and then into the port 55, from where it may flow to the interior of the cylinder 2|. ton valve 56 is in its raised position, the annular groove is above the ports 54 and 55 and flow therebetween is shut off.

The annular valve 55 is similar to the annular piston 48 of the plunger 22 and is rotatably secured to the lower end of a .control plunger or piston 58 by an elongate rod or stud bolt 59 which extends through the bore of said valve. As is clearly shown in Figure 17, the upper end of the bolt 59 is screw-threaded into the lower end of the plunger 58, while the lower end thereof is reduced and screw-threaded so as to receive a retaining annular plate 69 and nut 5| which support the valve 56. The extreme upper end of the bore of the valve is enlarged as shown in 62 to receive a nut 63 screw-threaded upon the upper end of the bolt 59 and arranged to clamp an annular retaining plate 64 against the lower end of the plunger 58. Due to the fact that the axial bore of the valve 55 is of a diameter greater than the diameter of the bolt 59 and that the upper end of said valve is spaced from the plate 64, the valve is loosely mounted upon said bolt and may move a limited distance laterally relative to the plunger 58. The plate 64, which is clamped between the lower end of the plunger 58 and the nut 53, is provided for retaining split, metallic sealing rings 65, similar to the rings 44, upon the reduced, depending shank 66 of said plunger.

An axial, upwardly-extending rod or pint! is screw-threaded into the upper en d'of the control plunger and a coiled spring 55 is confined upon the rod between the upper end of said plunger and a cap member 59 which closes the upper end of the cylinder 20, whereby the spring constantly urges said plunger and its piston valve 65.downwardly toward a lowered position. As shown in Figure 8, the upper end of the rod 5! engages the cap member 69 when the plunger andpiston valve are in their raised positions.

When the pismitted thereto.

Immediately above its depending shank 66, the

plunger is provided with a pair of external annular grooves 10 and H which are arranged to be engaged by a spring-pressed ball 12 mounted within a radial opening 13 which is formed within the body l8, as shown in Figures 12 and 15. When the ball 12 is engagin in either the groove H3 or the groove 1 I, the plunger and its piston valve 55 are frictionally locked against vertical movement in the cylinder 20. In order to move the plunger andrvalve, it is necessary that the frictional pressure of the ball 12 be overcome, whereby a snap action or sudden movement of said plunger and valve from one position to the other is provided. Manifestly, when there is no lifting fluid within the casing, the force of the spring 68 will move the plunger and valve to a lowered position because the pressure of said spring is greater than the frictional pressure of the ball 12.

As is clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper end of the cylinder 20 is enlarged to provide a recess or chamber 14 which communicates with the bore of the housing ll. With this arrangement, well liquids which rise within the tubing and enter the body ll may readily flow into the recess or chamber 14 of the cylinder .20 so as to act against the upper end of the plunger'58. Of course, the plunger and its piston valve will be in their lowered position due to the force of the spring 68, with the result that the groove 5'! of said valve is in communication with the ports 54 and 55. In such position, an operation of the plunger 22,-which raises said plunger to its uppermost position permits a flow of the lifting fluid fromthe casing Ill, through the ports 53, 54 and 55 into the cylinder 2L Obviously, if there are no liquids within the bore of the body ll, the plunger 58 and piston valve 55 are in their raised position because the pressure of the lifting fluid which is exerted against the lower end of said piston valve is greater than the force of the spring 58 and the frictional pressure of the spring-pressed ball 12. In this position, theannular groove 51 of the valve is misalined with the ports 54 and 55 and there can be no flow of lifting fluid into the cylinder 2|. Therefore, the provision of the plunger and the valve assure that liquids must be present within the body l'i before any lifting fluid can be ad- As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 15, the cap member 69 of the cylinder 20 and. the cap member 25 of the cylinder l9 are held in place by a retaining ring 15 and cap screw .16 which is screw-threaded into the upper end of the housing 3, while a similar annular plate or ring- H and cap screw 58 are provided at the lower end of said body with a portion of said plate overlying the bore of the cylinder 20 so as to prevent the piston valve and plunger from falling out of said cylinder.

A gas admitting or delivery tube 19 is mounted within the bore of the cylinder 2! and is provided with an axial bore 89, as is clearly shown in Figure 18. The lower end of the bore is enlarged and screw-threaded to receive a cap screw Bl upon which is mounted an annular plate or disk 82 for abutting the lower end of the housing and limiting the upward movement of the tube. An annular channel or groove 83 is formed in the external surface of the tube 19 adjacent its lower end and communicates with the bore 89 through a plurality of radial ducts 84, The channel 83 is alined with the port 55, whereby lifting fiuid admitted to said port may 'terbore 85.

this portion of the cylinder bore 2| is enlarged to form a recess or chamber 81 which has one side in direct communication with the interior of the body I l' below the valve member 35. Thus, the bore 85 of the tube 19 communicates with the interior of the body ll through ports 86 and chamber 81, whereby well liquids within said body ll may enter the bore of the tube 19. It will be obvious that the lifting fluid which is admitted through the ports 84 will be under a relatively-high pressure and as this fluid flows upwardly through the counterbore 85 and bore 80 said fluid will create a suction within the recess 8'! so as to draw the well liquids from the bore of the body ll through the ports 86 and into said bore 80. These well liquids are admixed with the upwardly moving fluid and pass upwardly through the bore of the tube 19.

The upper end of the bore 80 is enlarged to provide an internal, annular shoulder 88 and normally a ball 89 is seated on this shoulder. The upwardly flowing lifting fluid, having the well liquids which have been drawn into the fluid stream admixed therewith, will strike the ball 89 and unseat the same, thereby forcing said ball upwardly to the top of the tube and into contact with a bolt 90 which closes the upper end of said tube. From the upper end of the tube #9, the fluid and well liquids will escape through radial openings 9| provided in said tube and flow into the chamber or recess 14 which communicates with the interior of the body 11 above the valve member 35, as well as with the upper portion of the cylinder 20. In this manner, it will be obvious that the upwardly flowing lifting fiuid draws the well liquids from the interior of the body below the valve member, through the orifices 85, carries it through the bore of the tube and ejects it through the openings EH through the recess 14 and into the bore of the body I! abov the valve member 35. It is pointed out that the orifices 86 are below the valve seat 42 on which the disk 35 seats, while the openings 9| are above said seat. The bolt Bil which closes the upper end of the bore of the tube 19 is screw-threaded therein and depends through an opening 92 which is formed in the upper end of the housing l8. An annular cap member 93 is carried by the bolt 95 and engages within the opening 92, whereby the tube 19 is suspended Withi the cylinder 2! and is confined between the cap member 93 and the annular plate 82 as shown in Figure 9.

In the operation of the device, the control plunger 22 and the check valve 35 are in the position shown in Figure 4. It will be assumed that there is no lifting fluid in the well casing at this time and that the coiled spring 25 has moved the plunger to its lowermost position. Such movement of the plunger has caused the valve disk 36 to be swung upwardly due to the connection between the lug 40 of the arm 3'! and the slot 34 of said plunger. It will also be assumed that the well liquids have risen in the tubing l3 and are within, the body ll. Due to the fact that there is no lifting fluid within the well casing, the coiled spring 68 will hold the plunger 58 and piston valve 56 in their lowermost position (Fig.

15) so that the groove 5'! of said piston valve is alined with the ports 54 and 55 as shown in Figure 14. The well liquids will, of course, enter the recess 14 and will act against the upper end of the plunger 58 so as to co-act with the spring 68 in holding said plunger and the piston valve in their lowermost position.

The lifting fluid under a suitable pressure is introduced through a pipe l2 into the bore of the well casing l0 and flows downwardly within said casing. When the pressure of this fluid within the casing reaches a point suificient to overcome the force of the spring 25 as well as the weight of the well liquids, said fluid will impart an upward movement to the plunger 22 so as to move the same to the .position shown in Figure 5. Such upward movement of the plunger swings the valve disk 36 downwardly into engagement with its seat 42, thereby closing the bore of the body ll. Upward movement of the plunger also uncovers the inlet port 53 and the lifting fluid may flow through said port. Due to the fact that the combined pressures of the spring 68, springpressed ball I? and the well liquidsis greater than the pressure of the lifting fluid, said fluid will have no efiect on the piston valve 56 which will remain in its lowered position as shown in Figure 15.

Since the piston valve is in its lowermost position, the fluid flowing through the port 53 enters the annular groove 51 of said valve and passes into the port 55. The fluid then flows into the annular channel $3 of the tube 19 and through the radial port 84 into the reduced counterbore 85 (Fig. 14). From the counterbore, the fluid passes upwardly into and through the bore 80. The upwardly flowing fluid, which is under a relatively high pressure, produces a jetting action which creates a suction at the orifices 86, whereby well liquids are drawn from the bore of the body ll through the recess 81 and said orifices into the bore of the tube 19. It is noted that the well liquids which are drawn into the tube are those which are below the closed check valve 35. These liquids are then ejected from the tube through the openings SI and into the body ll above the check valve 35 through the recess 74. Thus, the lifting fluid acts to draw the well liquids from below the check valve and to force the same upwardly above said valve, whereby the tube 19 serves as a by-pass around the closed check valve.

It is pointed out that through the jetting action, the well liquids are drawn into the tube 19 and are then ejected upwardly and lifted to the surface through the well tubing l3. By utilizing a suction, it is obvious that the liquids are pulled from the tubing rather than pushed upwardly therethrough. This suction action facilitates starting of the flow and requires less fluid to begin the movement of the liquid column. It is noted that the lifting fluid passing through the tube 79 into the body ll above the check valve 35 will contact and exert its pressure against the upper end of the plunger so as to coact with the combined pressures of the spring 68, springpressed ball '12 and the well liquids in maintaining said plunger and its piston valve 56 in their lowered or open position. Thus, upward movement or closing of the plunger and valve is resisted by the lifting fluid thereabove to permit said fluid to by-pass the check valve so long as there are well liquids above said check valve.

In the event that the well liquids below the check valve 35 are under a suflicient pressure to flow upward-hr; without the: aid: of the auxiliary lifting fluid, such pressure: will obviously act against; the undersidelof'the valve. As shown in Figure 6, this pressure will be sufficient to unseat the check valve, whereby said valve is moved upwardly a sufficient' distance to permit the well liquids to, flow upwardly thereby. The-upward swinging of? the checl'rt valve will cause the lug 40 of said valve, acting on thelower end of the slot 34 of the plunger 22, to move said plunger downwardly sufliciently to close the inlet port 53' so as to cut: off the: admission of additional fluid. This downward movement: of the plunger 22 will be assisted. by the pressureor weight of the well liquids exerted against the upper end of said plunger as well as: the pressure of the spring 25. Obviously, since the pressure of thespring 25 is constantly'urgingthe plunger 22 downwardly so as to resist upward movement of the same by the lifting fluid pressure, the pressure or weight of the liquid column need: only be sufficient to overcome that portion of the lifting fluid pressure in excess of the pressure of said spring. Of course, the pressure of the lifting fluid above the plunger will beinclud'ed in thepressure or weight of the-liquid column acting against the upper'end of said plunger. Thus, it will be seen that if the well liquids are under a sufficient pressure to flow normally; then the lifting fluid is automatically cut off and the checkvalve is raised to permit suchv normal upward flow, as shown in Fig. 6. v

When the well liquids below the valve have been lifted, said" liquids will, of course, have-been removed from the recess 14. As soon as the pressure of the well liquids, within the recess 14 and acting? against the upper end of the plunger 58 falls below a predetermined point, the pressure of the lifting fluid, which is'exert'ed against the lower end of the. piston valve 56-: and which is greater than the combined force of the spring 68 and spring-pressedball 12; will raise-the piston valve and the plunger 58't0- their uppermost positions, whereby the annular groove T of said piston valve is misalined with the ports 54 and 55. Such misalinement of the groove 51 will immediately shut off the lifting fluid supply and no further fluid will be admitted into the tubing ['3 until such time as the liquid column therein has again built up and has entered the recess 14' to again lower the plunger'5B and piston valve 56.

When it is desired to shutdown the flow, it is only necessary torelieve the pressure within the well casing sufliciently to permit the coiled spring to lower the control plunger 22 to the position shown in Figure 7. The plunger will not move to its completely lowered position as shown inFigure 4, because there will probably be a liquid column above the check valve 35 which is closed and such liquid column will be holding said valve in such closed position. The spring 25 will be insumcient to lift said valve against the weight of the liquid column. When the parts are in this position with the fluid pressure within the casing relieved, the well liquids above the check valve may flow downwardly through the slot 35 through which the outer end of the arm 31 of the valve extends. These liquids will then enter the enlarged bore of the cylinder i8 and flow through the bore 23 radial ports 28, annular groove 21 and port 29 into the body ll below the check valve. After the lifting fluid pressure has been relieved for some time, all of the liquids above the check valve will flow downwardly past said valve, or the pressures above and below the valve will be equalized. When such equalization occurs, the spring: 25, bemglof sufficient strength tolift the weight of thecheckvalve, will swing said. valve to the position shown in Figure 4 and will move the plunger 22' to its lowermost position. The device is now ready for'thev next operation when the lifting. gas is again introduced into the casing.

From the foregoing, it is, obvious that a simple andeflicient device for controlling the admission of a lifting fluid. into the, well liquid in the tubing I3 is provided. The plunger 22, which controls the admission of fluid to the pistonjfi, is actuated solely by the pressure of the fluid acting against its lower end with the :upward movement of said plunger being resisted by the spring 25 and any liquid or fluid pressure thereabove. The pressure of the'well liquids coacts with the force of the. coiled spring 68 to actuate the plunger 58 and its piston valve lifiwhich provide an auxiliary, control for the. flow of the lifting fluid to the tube 19.. .The movement of the plunger: 58 and valve: 56 in either direction is resisted by thev frictional engagement of the spring-pressed-ball 12 with either the groove 1% or the groove ll. When the plunger and valve are in their. lowered, or open position, the ball coacts with the spring 6-8,. the well liquids and the lifting fluid above said plunger in resisting the pressure, of. the lifting fluid exerted against the lower end of the valve so as to holdv said plunger and valve, in. such. position.'. On the other hand,,af.t.er. thefplunger and valve have been, moved to. their raised; orlclosed' position, thereby eifecting an engagement between the ball and the lower groove'll, said ball exerts its pressure to maintain said plunger and valve in such position in coaction withv the pressure of the lifting fluidacting against the lower end of the valve. Thus, the force' or pressure of the ball is in eifect, transferred from one end of the plungerand its valve to the other endthere of, whereby movement of said plungerand valve in either direction is resisted by said ball and the force or pressure thereof must be overcome by the opposing pressure before the movement of the plunger and 'valve can take place. Therefore, by varying the pressureof'the ball 12 and the springs 25 and68, an accurate control of the fluid at the point at which it is admitted. may be had. Due to the coaction of the plungers 22 and 58 in controlling the admission of the lifting fluid, the same may be concerned and maintained available for immediate use.

Particular attention is directed to the manner of attaching the annular piston 48 and piston valve 58 to the plungers 22' and 53, respectively, which permits a limited movement of said piston and valve relative to said plungers. Obviously, this relative movement assures the sealing of the port 53by the piston and of the ports 54 and 55 by the valve as well as to compensate for wear of said piston and valve and their respective cylinders. It is also pointed out that the pressure within the outer portion of the port 53 and within the port 54 will act upon the piston and valve, when the same are in their closed or non-admitting position, to urge said piston and valve into snug engagement with the opposite portion of their respective cylinders, whereby said pressure-assures the positive closing of the inner portion of said port 53 and the port 55.

Of course, it is possible to eliminate the plunger 53' and. its piston valve 56, in which case, the entire cylinder 20 would be omitted and the port 54: connected directly to the port 55. The elimination of the cylinder 20 is desirable in wells wherein there is a constant flow of well liquids upwardly in the well tubing due to the natural condition of the well. In this type of well, the well liquids may be at a level a few hundred feed below the surface and, although the conditions of the well raise the'liquids to such level, the same are insumcient to lift said liquids completely to the surface. In such event, there would be no necessity of providing the plunger 58 and its piston valve. The lifting fluid would be constantly admitted to the well tubing through each flowdevice A except where the well liquids are moving upwardly through the tubing suiiiciently fast to lift the check valve 35. In the latter event, the check valve would move the plunger 22 to its lowermost position to shut off the fluid from this particular flow device, as has been clearly explained hereinbefore.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I Patent is: I

1. A flow device including, awell tubing, a tubular body adapted'to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the fluid into the body'for closing the bore thereof, the inlet passage having communicationwith the bore of the body above the closure means so as to conduct the fluid into the tubing above said closure means and also having communication with said body bore below the closure means, whereby the fluid flowing through said inlet passage will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and flow through the inlet passage back into the tubing above the closure means, a

claim and desireto secure by Letters spring-pressed plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage, and pressure-responsive means in said passage between the plunger and the upper end of the passage exposed to the well liquids and the lifting fluid and actuated by the differential in pressures thereacross to automatically close said passage to prevent admission of fluid when no liquids are present in the body.

2. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of' admission of the fluid into the body for closing the bor thereof, means within the inlet passage having communication with the boreof the body above the closure means for conducting the fluid into the tubing above said closure means and also communicating with said bore below the closure means, whereby the fluid flowing through said means will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and. flow through the means back into the tubing above the closure means, a spring-pressed plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage and said communicating means, and pressure-responsive means in said passage between the plunger and communicating means exposed to the well liquids and the lifting fluid and actuated by the diflerential in pressures thereacross to'automatically close said passage to prevent admission of fluidwhen no liquids are present in the body.

3. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the fluid into the body for closing the bore thereof, the inlet passage having communication with the bore of the body above the closure means so as to conduct the fluid into the tubing above said closure means and also having communication with said body bore below the closure means, wherebyth'e fluid flowing through said inlet passage will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and flow through the inlet passage back into the tubing above the closure means, pressure-responsive means for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage, and a second pressure-responsive means in said passage between the first pressure-responsive means and the upper end of the passage exposed to the well liquids and the lifting fluid and actuated by the differentia1 in pressures thereacross to automatically close said passage to prevent admission of fluid when no liquids are present'in the body.

4. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of admission ofthe fluid into the body for closing the bore thereof, means within the inlet passage having communication with the bore of the body above the closure means for conducting the fluid into'the tubing above said closure means and also communicating with said bore below the closure means, whereby the fluid flowing through said means will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and flow through the means back into the tubing above the closure means, pressure-responsive means for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage and said communicating means, and a second pressure-responsive means in said passage between the first pressure- Z'GSDOIlSiVG means and communicating means exposed to the well liquids and the lifting fluid and actuated by the differential in pressures thereacross to automatically close said passage to prevent admission of fluid when no liquids are present in the body. I

5. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the gas into the housing for closing the bore of said housing, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing above the closure means, said assembly having means for establishing communication with the interior of the housing below said'closure means, whereby the gas flowing through the assembly will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass the closure means and flow through the assembly, means establishing communication between the assembly and tubing above the closure means whereby the liquids flowing through said assembly are directed back into the tubing above said closure means, a. spring-pressed plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas to the inlet passage and tube assembly, and a pressureresponsive member located in the passage between the plunger and the tube assembly and subject to the well liquids and the gas so as to be actuated by the diiierential in pressures there'- across for automatically closing said passage to prevent admission of fluid when no liquids are present in the body.

6. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubu lar housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the gas into the housing for closing the bore of said housing, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing above the closure means, said assembly having means for establishing communication with the interior of the housing below said closure means, whereby the gas flowing through the assembly will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass the closure means and flow through the assembly, means establishing communication between the assembly and tubing above the closure means whereby the liquids flowing through said assembly are directed back into the tubing above said closure means, a spring-pressed plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas to the inlet passage and tube assembly, means for connecting the plunger with the closure means,

whereby said means is closed when the plunger is in a position permitting admittance of gas to the inlet passage, and a pressure-responsive member located in the passage between the plunger and the tube assembly and subject to the well liquids '7. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a welltubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet pas sage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assemblyfor controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage and to the assembly, and a pressure-responsive member disposed in said passage between the plunger and assembly subject to the well liquid and lifting gas so as to be actuated by the pressure differential thereacross forshutting oif the gas supply when theliquid in the housing fallsbelow a predetermined level.

8. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted-to be connected in the well tubing and'having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into'thetubing, saidassembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicatingwith the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas-through the passage and to the assembly, and a pressure-respon sive member disposed in said passage betweenthe plunger and assembly having its upper end exposed to the pressure of the well liquids within the housing and its lower end exposed to the pressure of the gas, whereby the member will be actuated by the gas pressure to shut off the gas supply when the levelof the liquids falls below the upper end of saidmember. I

9. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage and to the assembly, a pressure responsive' member disposed in said passage between the plunger and assembl'y'having one end exposed to the pressure of the gas and its other end exposed to the pressure of the well liquids within the housing, and a resilient element coacting with said well liquids so as to resist movement of the member by the gas, whereby said member is actuated by the differential in pressures thereacross to permit a flow of gas through the passage only when a predetermined well liquid pressure is acting upon said member.

10. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, a

closure below the point of admission of the fluid into the body for closing the bore of saidbody. an admission tube assembly in the passage for conducting said fluid into the body above the closure, said assembly consisting of a single cylindrical tube which is in constant communication with the interior of the body below said closure for creating a suction in said body below the closure to draw the well liquids therefrom into and through the tube, means for establishing communication between-said tube and body above the closure, whereby the liquids are directed outwardly into the body above said closure, and. means for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid into the passage and tube.

11, A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to beconnected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, a closure below the point of admission of thefiuid into the body for closing the bore of said body, a unitary admission tube disposed inthe passage for conducting said fluid into the body above the closure, the tube being constantly in communication with the interior of said body below said closure and having means for creating a suction in the body below the closure to draw the well liquids therefrom into and through the tube, means for establishing communication between said tube and body above the closure, whereby the liquids are directed outwardly into the body above said closure, and means for controlling the admit tance of the lifting fluid into the passage and tube.

12. A flow device including, a well tubing, a

- tubular housing adapted to be connected in the municating with said bore through the gas inletport, the lower portion of the bore of the tube being in-constant communication with the interior of the housing below the check valve, ajet a-rrangement withinsaid tube whereby as flowing:

through the tube creates a suction in the housing below said check valve and causes Well liquids from below the check valve to flow through said tube to by-pass said valve, and a spring-pressed plunger for controlling the admittance of the gas to the tube.

13. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the fluid into the body for closing the bore thereof, the inlet passage having communication with the bore of the body above the closure means so as to conduct the fluid into the tubing above said closure means and also having communication with said body bore below the closure means, whereby the fluid flowing through said inlet passage will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and flow through the inlet passage back into the tubing above the closure means, a plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage, and valve means carried by the plunger and depending therefrom, the valve member being capable of limited movement relative to said plunger so as to compensate for wear of said member.

14. A flow device including, a well tubing, a tubular body adapted to be connected in the tubing and having a lifting fluid inlet passage, means below the point of admission of the fluid into the body for closing the bore thereof, the inlet passage having communication with the bore of the body above the closure means and also having communication with said body bore below the closure means, whereby the fluid flowing through said inlet passage will act upon the well liquids to draw said liquids from the tubing and cause the same to by-pass said closure means and flow through the inlet passage-back into the tubing above the closure means, a plunger for controlling the admittance of the lifting fluid to the inlet passage, and an annular valve member depending from the plunger, and means extending through the valve member and secured to said plunger for loosely connecting said member to the plunger, whereby the member may undergo a limited movement relative to said plunger so as to compensate for its Wear.

15. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage and to the assembly, a pressureresponsive member disposed in said passage between the plunger and assembly having one end constantly exposed to the pressure of the gas and its other end exposed to the pressure of the well liquids within the housing, and resilient means coacting with said well liquids and resisting movement of the member by the gas, whereby said member is moved from a closed to an open position by the differential in pressures thereacross to permit a flow-of gas through the passage only when a predetermined well liquid pressure is acting upon the member.

16. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage beyond the tube assembly for controlling the admittance of the lifting gas through the passage and to the assembly, resilient means within the housing, and a pressure-responsive member disposed in said passage between the plunger and assembly having its lower end constantly exposed to the pressure of the gasand its upper end exposed to the combined pressure of the resilient means and the well liquids within the housing, whereby the member is moved from a closed to an open position by the differential in pressures thereacross to permit a flow of gas through the passage only when a predetermined well liquid pressure is acting upon the upper end of said member, the movement of the member to an open position exposing the upper end thereof to the pressure of the gas so that such pressure is added to the combined pressures of the well liquids and resilient means to aid in holding said member in an open position.

17. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the tubing, a spring-pressed plunger in the passage beyond the tube assembly for con upper end exposed to the combined pressure of the resilient means and the well liquids within the housing, whereby the member is moved from a closed to an open position by the differential in pressures thereacross to permit a flow of gas through the passage only when a predetermined well liquid pressure is acting upon the upper end of said member, the movement of the member to an open position exposing the upper end thereof to the pressure of the gas so that such pressure is added to the combined pressures of the well liquids and resilient means to aid in holding said member in an open position, the member remaining in an open position until the combined gas and well liquid pressure is reduced suificiently to permit the pressure of the gas acting upon the lower end of said member to move the same to its closed position.

18. A fluid lifting apparatus including, a well tubing, a tubular housing adapted to be connected in the well tubing and having a gas inlet passage, an admission tube assembly within the inlet passage for conducting the gas into the tubing, said assembly having its lower end in direct communication with the interior of the well tubing and also having its upper end communicating with the the diflerential in pressures thereacross to permit a flow of gas through the passage only when a predetermined well liquid pressure is acting upon said member, and resilient means for resisting movement of the member in either direction so that the gas pressure must overcome the combined pressures of the resilient means and the well liquids and said well liquids must overcome the combined pressures of said gas and resilient 10 means in order to actuate said member.

"ROY E. MILLICAN. 

